SCHENECTADY -- Faced with mounting evidence against them, two brothers admitted in court to fatally shooting an acquaintance outside a notorious city bar last year, abruptly ending their murder trial.

Robert and Ronald Frasier of Schenectady pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday before Visiting Schenectady County Judge Polly Hoye. The plea deal calls for both of them to receive 18 years to life in prison for killing 42-year-old Ronnie Lee Crenshaw III. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8.

For that, Robert Frasier will be sentenced to 10 years behind bars, which will run concurrently with the murder penalty.

He and his 36-year-old brother may also be ordered to pay restitution.

Prosecutors say the Frasiers opened fire with handguns on the Crenshaws after a fight between Ronnie Lee Crenshaw and Robert Frasier outside a private party at the Aquarius Lounge during the early morning hours of April 25, 2009. The bar had been closed to the public after losing its liquor license.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Philip Mueller, who tried the case, said he was satisfied with the outcome. At the outset, he told jurors the shooting may have stemmed from a conflict between Ronnie Lee Crenshaw and the Frasiers' brother-in-law.

"We believe it holds them responsible because their lives were somewhat out of control," Mueller said, noting the Frasiers also had faced weapons and assault charges. On the murder count alone, they could have been sentenced to 25 years to life if convicted.

Defense attorneys Terence Kindlon and Roy Nestler said their clients decided it was in their best interest to accept responsibility for their actions after considering the weighty evidence against them.

"After a couple of days, he began to realize the proof was overwhelming and rather than prolong the inevitable, he decided to resolve the matter," Kindlon, who represented Ronald Frasier, said outside the courtroom. "It's tragic in every direction."

Roy Nestler, who represented Robert Frasier, agreed.

"As the facts were coming in, the more he looked at it, it seemed the right thing to do," Nestler added.

Outside court, Mira Warner of Schenectady, Ronnie Crenshaw's girlfriend and the mother of his infant son, teared up as she talked about the court proceeding.

"I'm glad that it's over," Warner said. "I wish they would have gotten more time, but I'm glad it's done."

She said Ronnie Crenshaw was killed just three days after his son, Ronnie IV, was born. She also said that Yuceff Crenshaw who lives in Virginia, has still not physically recovered from the shooting.

Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by email at pnelson@timesunion.com